Quest for Bass, Rollini Style

[gramophone-georg]

Adrian Rollini exemplified a 1920’s playing style that I really like, using the bass sax to provide a fat bottom-end that is often more pleasing than the usual tuba. The big-horn Victor orthophonics can yield a very satisfying whomp from the right records, either tuba or sax.

We know his work from various California Ramblers and Golden Gate Orchestra recordings on Edison diamond disc, and a multitude of other lateral records under all sorts of band names.

So here is the challenge: what are some great examples of that fat bottom end sound, from Rollini or perhaps others, on 20s lateral electrical dance/jazz recordings? I’d like to find a few to enjoy (and to demo the capabilities of the big horns).

I am working on coming up with some. Hang tight.

I think the Goldkette sides with Steve Brown are great- he was the originator of plucking the SB if I recall. Not bsx but they sound good on a big Ortho or VT machine.

[PeterF]

As we hang tight, try this. A bit newer, yet still pleasing in the context of this string…

https://vimeo.com/30511535

[gramophone-georg]

OK, here goes:

All of the Bix Beiderbecke Gang sides on OKeh feature either Rollini or Leibrook in the lineup-
8544 as "New Orleans Lucky 7"
40923
41001
41030
41088
41173
Parlophone R-2833, "Margie", not issued in USA AFAIK.
Victor 23008 and 23018 also list Leibrook in the lineup (Bix Beiderbecke and his Orchestra)

Rube Bloom Bayou Boys, Columbia- all w/ Rollini and others like Tommy Dorsey and Goodman:
2103-D
2186-D
2118-D

Arnold Frank Rogers' Cafe Orch, OKeh 40896. Although not acknowledged in the discographies, there seems to be a definite bsx on "Black Maria".

Jan Garber Greater Columbia Orch., Col. 2115-D, Rollini.

The following Ross Gorman records on Columbia feature a bsx by Barney Acquelina:
435-D
460-D
495-D
498-D
516-D
563-D
576-D

More later

[PeterF]

Excellent, thanks George!

[gramophone-georg]

Continued:

Andy Kirk doubled on bsx or tuba on the earlt Clouds of Joy Brunswick sides:
4694
4653
4893
4803
4863
4878
6129
6027

Bert Lown- Rollini appears on the following:
Hit of the Week 1090
Columbia:
2258-D
2292-D
Victor
22541
22568
22582
22583
22602
22603
22612
22623
22624
22652
22653
Timely Tunes C-1589 as "King Cole and his Music Weavers"

Mike Markel's Orchestra, unknown bsx:
Brunswick
3091
3189
Columbia
617-D
OKeh
40625
40686

Mason- Dixon Orch. (Trumbauer), Col. 1861-D, Leibrook

Miff Mole Molers, OKeh 41371, alternate takes on Odeon/ Parlophone (USA) as Gilbert Marsh Orch., Rollini

Lee Morse, Columbia 2136-D, Rollini

More later

[Curt A]

George, I had all of those right on the tip of my tongue... but you beat me to it...